Local Community

Community Sessions for Phillip Island South and North Coast Beaches Key Area Plan a Success

Churchill Island Key Area Plan update session

Community Information Guide

Local Pass

Community Open Day 2015

All Bass Coast Shire residents are invited to join the fun of Phillip Island Nature Parks’ fifth annual Community Open Day on Sunday 1 March 2015.

There will be walks, talks and activities with the Nature Parks’ rangers and researchers throughout the day along with free entry to all Nature Parks attractions. This includes the evening Penguin Parade (general admission), Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island.

Note, proof of residency such as your rates notice or drivers licence is required for entry on the day. Entry to all of the activities, attractions and walks and talks is free throughout the day for residents and landholders of the Bass Coast Shire*. To gain your free entry, please bring some form of proof of your residency such as a rates notice, bill, drivers licence etc. Householders only, accompanying friends are welcome, but must pay entry fees as apply. There is no limit to how many activities you can attend and no bookings are required. Please just come along and enjoy the fun!

Event: Phillip Island Nature Parks Community Open Day 2015Date: Sunday 1 March 2015Cost: Free entry to all locations and activities for Bass Coast Shire Council residents.

Phillip Island Nature Parks Annual Report 2013-14

Our Annual Report 2013-14 was tabled in State Parliament in October 2014.We are proud to present our year in summary. Once again, we worked hard to ensure that our ‘shareholders’ – Phillip Island’s environment, wildlife and community - received maximum benefits and returns. On behalf of the Board and our team, we thank you for your contribution to Phillip Island Nature Parks’ outstanding achievements this year.

Phillip Island Nature Parks presented the final draft of their South and North Coast Beaches Key Area Plan to stakeholders and community members in a series of information sessions held this week. The plan was well received and will now be presented to Phillip Island Nature Parks’ Board for approval.

Over 60 people attended the sessions held at the Newhaven Hall representing Bass Coast Shire Councillors, representatives of key community groups along with interested community members.

The session began with a summary of findings of the ‘Coastal Processes Study’ recently commissioned by the Nature Parks. The extensive study, undertaken by leading experts in the field, provides a comprehensive understanding of Phillip Island’s geology and geomorphology and the coastal processes affecting the coastline. It was well received by participants with one community member describing it as: “very important work for Phillip Island”.

Participants were then provided with a summary of the final draft ‘South and North Coast Key Area Plan’.

“It is important to note that nature conservation is the key guiding principle for this plan,” said Mr Jackson. “Along with the premise that people should be able to enjoy reasonable and safe access to the coast.”

The plan identifies key guiding principles and a high level strategic framework for managing the beaches along the south coast of Phillip Island from Woolamai to Summerland Peninsula, and in the north from Ventnor to Summerland Peninsula.

It includes a site-by-site analysis of issues and opportunities for each location such as Cape Woolamai, Forrest Caves, Smiths Beach, YCW and Summerland Beach. It also focuses on more strategic actions including the need for reviewing management jurisdiction and focussing on improved connections between areas for visitors and locals.

The community engaged in lively discussion about the presentations asking many questions and offering their ideas and input. Topics of discussion included meeting the demands of increased visitors to the island, changing coastal weather patterns and walking paths.

The Key Area Plan will now be presented to the Phillip Island Nature Parks Board at the October meeting where it is expected that it will be endorsed.

Once the plan is approved, the Nature Parks will commence implementation of the strategies including more detailed assessments of each site in line with the overall guiding principles.

“The community will remain informed throughout the implementation process and have the opportunity to be involved as we work through the actions outlined in the plan. We thank everyone for attending and their support for this important planning work for Phillip Island Nature Parks,” said Mr Jackson.

Copies of the presentations given at the sessions, along with ongoing updates can now be found at www.penguins.org.au/local-community with a final summary of the South and North Coast Beaches Key Area Plan estimated by the end of October.

Phillip Island Nature Parks recently held a Community Information Session about the exciting future plans for Churchill Island.

“The session completed over seven months of work including extensive development with a wide range of key stakeholders,” said Matthew Jackson, Phillip Island Nature Parks’ Chief Executive Officer.

“This Plan details a positive future for Churchill Island which maximises Churchill Island’s potential and where each user group is catered for and the Island’s values are not compromised.”

The Plan was received positively by the small gathering of community members. It was explained that it is not a Master Plan, but a 15-year strategic overview that outlines the exciting ‘big picture’ for Churchill Island.

As well as identifying Churchill Island’s key attributes and their value to the community, the Plan offers the concept of unique ‘precincts’ to showcase these special attributes including heritage, environment, events and functions.

This will be achieved through working with partners such as Bass Coast Shire Council to create a ‘hub’ for the Bass Coast community and a place for people to discover the region’s history, beauty, produce and talents. The Plan outlines a modest, sensible investment strategy using high quality infrastructure.

“It is important to note that, once the Plan is finalised, we are committed to developing a detailed Conservation Management Plan” said Mr Jackson.

As per existing conditions, no permanent accommodation will be created on the Island.

The group agreed that one of the main challenges is the entry to Churchill Island from Phillip Island Tourist Road. The Nature Parks intends to work with community, Bass Coast Shire Council and Vic Roads towards a future solution.

Your Free Community Information Guide

The Phillip Island Nature Parks team is proud to release their first Community Information Guide and your free copy is now available.

The booklet aims to provide the community with as much information as possible about the Nature Parks’ role, departments and the areas it manages. The booklet details the history and current activities of the Nature Parks and contains important handy information including the yearly cycle of the little penguins and contact numbers such as who to call if you find injured wildlife or see a fox on the island.

Pick up a copy of the free guide from a Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre or any Nature Parks outlet: Penguin Parade, Nobbies Centre, Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island, or download a copy.

Local Pass

Do you live in the Bass Coast Shire? Phillip Island Nature Parks has launched an exclusive Bass Coast Shire residents 'Local Pass'.

For the cost of one single 3 Parks Pass the new Local Pass gives unlimited 12 month entry into the Nature Parks’ 3 major attractions - the Penguin Parade, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Koala Conservation Centre. (Nobbies Centre is free). Local Passes are only available for purchase at any of the Nature Parks venues.

Cost:$40.40 per adult $20.20 per child (4 to 15 years)

To ensure the pass is exclusive to Bass Coast Shire residents, you must show identification of your residency within the Bass Coast Shire – driver’s licence, rates notice etc. The pass is available for purchase from the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Nobbies Centre. Photo ID needs to be presented with the pass to gain entry at all locations.